Apparatus for routing water

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed for routing water away from contacting a surface. A strip fabricated from a rigid plastic or a light metal includes a horizontally extending member that when engaged, routes water out from a vertical surface to which it is affixed. The longitudinal base of the molding strip is arched or raised in order to conceal fasteners and has axially opposing ends angled to be received and retained within a molding trim holder.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for routing water and more particularly, to routing water away from contact with a surface of a structure, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), in order to reduce streaking caused by residue mixed in with water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water coming in contact with surfaces of buildings and other structures is a known problem and inconvenience. Water contacting a surface where particulates can accumulate can cause damage to a surface as the water carrying the particulates passes over it. This is often seen in structures with horizontal or pitched roofs where dust and debris can collect over time. When precipitation comes in contact with the roof of a structure, water picks up the dust and debris and deposits it to a vertical surface to which it contacts while draining. This is often results in dark streaks as well as possible wear to the surface over a period of time. A number of devices are known and used to reroute water caused by rain, melting snow or other sources.

The rain gutter, which has been installed on many homes and buildings, is a well-known and highly utilized example of water routing or diverting apparatus. The concept behind this simple device typically involves intercepting accumulated drainage near the rooftop of a structure and routing it through a trough where it may be deposited in a designated location.

Drip moldings have been manufactured into the body of automobiles for years. Drip moldings have the specific purpose of keeping water drainage from the rooftop of an automobile away from the occupants as they enter or leave a vehicle. The concept of drip molding is similar to that of the rain gutter. Water draining off of the rooftop of a vehicle is captured within a small horizontal channel or depression. In general, water captured within the channel or depression of the drip molding follows the slope of the rooftop where it drains toward the backend of the vehicle.

An awning is yet another well-known device used to, among other things, deflect water drainage. In general, awnings have been used to deflect elements such as rain, snow and sunshine. Most often, awnings are installed above structural opening along vertical surfaces such as windows, doorways, vents, and the like. Most often, awnings are constructed of a heavy cloth or nylon material and are permanently affixed to a structure. The type of awning usually associated with RV's are characterized by a mechanism for extending and retracting the awning.

Many conventional devices for deflecting or routing water exhibit a marked disadvantage, however, in that they are cumbersome, difficult to install, and/or insufficiently designed to reroute or deflect large volumes of water. For example, the drip molding, as discussed, has a very small channel or depression to accommodate water drainage. When the volume of the drainage exceeds the flow capacity of the channel, the water spills over the side of the drip molding, thus rendering it ineffective during heavy precipitation.

Awnings, as discussed above, are regularly implemented on RV's. However, awnings only cover a limited surface area of the vehicles exterior, leaving much of the exterior vertical surfaces unprotected. And, while rain gutters are effectively used on immobile structures, however implementation of rain gutters would not be practical or even structurally feasible on a RV's.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing an apparatus for diverting water drainage away from contact with a vertical surface. Further, there is a need for a molding trim with a horizontal extending member for routing water away from a vertical surface of an RV in order to reduce streaking and wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention is an apparatus for routing water away from contacting a surface.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, described herein is an apparatus for routing water comprising: a horizontally elongated strip having a longitudinally arched or raised outer surface and axially apposed first and second ends. The tips of the axially opposed first and second ends of the strip may include bends in order to be suitably received within axially opposed first and second groves of a strip holder. A second member, extending horizontally from the longitudinal arched or raised outer surface to which it is affixed follows the length of the strip. When the strip of the present invention is affixed to a surface, it will project engaging water out from the surface, providing protection to a surface portion below the strip. This serves to reduce or eliminate contact from water carrying debris which may be deposited to the surface resulting in streaks and/or wear.

The strip of the present invention may be constructed of a pliable material such as, for example, rubber, vinyl, polyurethane, polypropylene, and the like. A pliable strip may be desirable in order to conform the strip to the contour of the surface to which it is affixed. However, the strip may also be constructed of a rigid material such as, for example, aluminum, steel, wood, hard plastic, and the like. A rigid strip may be desirable in order to withstand wind and heavy precipitation. The strip may be affixed to an exterior surface through any means known in the art.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary strip for routing water away from a surface according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a molding strip engaged within a strip holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view of a RV portion with a molding strip engaged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the exemplary embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized as structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

An RV, as used herein, may include any mobile structure used for transportation and/or shelter. An RV may include, for example, a travel trailer, fifth-wheel, motor home and the like. However, practitioners will appreciate that the present invention may also be employed in any number of other applications and is not solely limited to implementation on an RV. For example, the strip apparatus of the current invention may be used to route water away from a surface of an automobile, boat, transport trailer, architectural structure and the like.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary strip for routing water away from contact with a surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, a strip may have a raised or arched outer surface 110 extending longitudinally. Such raised or arched outer surface may conceal fasteners such as, for example, screws, bolts, rivets, nails, staples and the like. A strip may have angled first 100 and second 105 opposing ends which may enable the strip to be affixed to a surface. A horizontally extending second member 115 may be positioned on the outer surface of a strip and attached thereto in order to route water outwardly beyond a surface to which it is affixed thereby reducing water contact with a surface. Further, second member may include a vertically downward angled portion 120 along the horizontal length of the second member 115 to serve as a drop point, eliminating water from adhering to bottom surface of the second member. A second member 115 may have a vertical downward slope of between 20 and 85 degrees followed by a downward angled portion 120 of between 30 degrees and 90 degrees. Downward angled portion 120 may be positioned with a bend starting point of between ⅛″ and 1 inch from the end point of second member 115. In a preferred embodiment, an extending second member may have a vertical slope of 70 degrees and downward angled portion may have a bend of 90 degrees.

FIG. 2 is a view of a strip 200 engaged within a strip holder 205 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A strip may have an axially raised outer surface 235 of a height sufficient to cover the head of a fastener 210 which may be used to attach a holder 205 to a surface, however this is not necessary. Further, the strip of the present invention may include outwardly angled first 225 and second 230 opposing ends in order to engage first 215 and second 220 ledges of a strip holder 205. The angles for first 225 and second 230 opposing ends may vary according to the configuration of a strip holder. Strip 200 may include a horizontally extending member 240 of a length of between ½ and 2 inches with an angle sufficient to route water away from contacting a surface to which it is affixed. Second member may include a downward angled portion 245 positioned so that the tip surface of the second member 240 is vertical to the ground.

For simplicity, FIGS. 3-4 make reference to a holder 205 as being of a type which may be used to secure the strip 200 of the present invention to a surface. However, practitioners will appreciate that a holder 205 may comprise any form and/or structure which may be suitably employed to affix a strip 200 to a surface. Further, it should be appreciated that a holder may not be required and that a strip 200 may be affixed to a surface by any means known in the art which may include, for example, double sided tape, Velcro, glue, nails, staples, magnets and the like.

As used herein, a holder 205 may comprise any device known in the art which may be used in the construction of recreational vehicles. A holder 205 may receive and secure a strip 200 which may be employed to conceal fasteners that may be applied during the construction of a structure to affix two or more components. The holder 205 has a longitudinal oriented open trim channel with parallel opposed first 215 and second 220 ledges which enable the holder to receive and secure a strip 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a view is illustrated of a RV portion 320 with a strip 300 engaged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A strip 300 may be attached to a vertical surface of a RV 320 with a fastener 315 such as, for example, a screw, bolt, rivet, nail, staple and the like. When affixed to an outer surface of an RV 320, a horizontally extending member 305 of the present invention may route water originating from above the strip 330 away from contacting a vertical surface 325 residing below the strip 300 thereby reducing streaking to the vertical surface which may result from residue picked up by the water from a surface portion residing above the strip 300.

In one embodiment of the invention, strip 300 may be constructed of a flexible material which would enable it to follow the contour of a surface to which it is affixed. In yet another embodiment, the strip 300 may be constructed of a lightweight metal such as aluminum. A metallic strip 300 may provide added durability, weather resistance, and render the strip 300 more rigid which may be advantages in conditions of high wind and heavy precipitation.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not with this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. 

1. A routing apparatus for reducing water contact with a surface, said apparatus comprising: a first member comprising an elongated longitudinally extending strip; a second member extending horizontally from an outer surface of said first member and extending longitudinally over the length of said first member and attached thereto;
 2. The routing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first member is further characterized by a longitudinally extending, raised outer surface;
 3. The routing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first member includes axially opposed first and second engaging ends wherein said engaging ends include a bend of an angle sufficient to be received and retained within first and second recesses of a molding strip holder;
 4. The routing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second member includes a horizontal slope of between 20° and 85°;
 5. The routing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second member extends from said first member at a length of between ½ and 2 inches;
 6. The routing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second member is further characterized by a downward bend starting at from ⅛″ to 1″ from the end of said second member;
 7. The routing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said downward bend is of an angle between 30° and 90°. 